 Viviana |
Shutter Curtain HI I am a begnier film photographer and I was trying to take some pictures and when I got the film back there was no pictures on the film the clerk looked at my camera and the shutter curtain was not straight it was bent and the mirror was up and not down so I could not see through the lens is this a problem that can be fixed or should I think about getting a new camera?
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Mark Feldstein |
Greetings Viv. The answer depends on a few things including what kind of camera you've got and it's inherent value both to you and in the market in general. A pushed in shutter curtain or one off track, so-to-speak, might be easily fixed by a competent repair tech at a camera repair shop. The key to that one is what kind of curtain it is, whether it's cloth or titanium, and whether it's actually damaged. The mirror problem could be related to the shutter curtain being inoperable. If the curtain won't move the mirror and thus the shutter can't be reset because the shutter curtain won't travel then it's likely the mirror won't reset either since it's essentially all part of the same operation. If you fix the shutter curtain chances are the shutter cocking mechanism and mirror repositioning will be fixed as well. Take it to a competent repair tech and see if they think it's fixable. This isn't something you could try on your own. And if you want to check the value of your camera, you can get a pretty good idea at KEH.com
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Christopher A. Walrath |
Welcome to photography, Viv. And welcome to the headaches as well. Mark is right in that a good repair technician can solve most problems along these lines. But I am curious, what kind of camera do you have? I ask because I have a slew of older Minolta X and SR series cameras and I know that there are two major causes for the mirror to lock up. One, rarely, but it happens, when you depress the shutter button with no film loaded in the camera you can cause the mirror to lock up and this is easily fixed. Two, due to the age of my cameras, a pervading problem is that the electrical circuitry (capacitors) can burn up and, unless provided with the camera, not many techs I have spoken with even bother. I honestly don't know why. Capacitor sets for these cameras are readily available at various sources, including eBay (I have a seperate set for each camera just in case). But definitely get someone to look at it. And weigh the cost effectiveness of such a venture. A good replacement might be a click away where you might get stuck with a hefty bill. As to finding a quality repair tech, find a camera shop with 120 roll film and darkroom supplies in the showroom. These shops are still dedicated to film photography and will probably have an abundant well of resources to draw from to serve your needs. (Welcome back, Mark. I see you rowed out at last.) Thanks
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Mark Feldstein |
Rowed, bailed, hacked and 4-wheeled !!! Man, I NEVER want to go through that again. Nice to be back. Anyone need some extra firewood? Hey Chris, I think I mis-wrote: The Ranger is CV61. I may have typed 66. Whoops.
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Viviana |
Thanks first of all for the answers they are very usefull and I have a found a place to take the camera the camera Christopher is a Nikon FM 10 and I don't know how old it is since it was given to me by a family member.
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Christopher A. Walrath |
I couldn't find exact information on the production years of the camera, but by the looks of it (very similar to the Minolta X-370's and X-700's) I'd say 1980-1986. Somewhere in there. At least 20 years old. But with a name like Nikon, it's gotta be good (enough with the booing and hissing everybody). Great camera. One you should definitely get fixed, Viv. Thanks
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Viviana |
Hey guys I took the camera to a repair shop they said it would be around $15o to repair is that too much or like you said Chris that I should definitely get it fixed or put that money into a new camera
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Christopher A. Walrath |
Just did a completed auction search on eBay for FM10's and the range goes from $60 - $140 less s/h for a body and lens. You could get one of the steals but some of the auctions are bringing the cost of repair and you get a warranty with the repair. If you can get one you're comfortable with for 60-70, I'd get it AND repair yours. Why only have one when you can have two at twice the price? Just food for thought, Viv. Keep on rollin'
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Bob Cammarata |
Actually, the FM-10 is a Nikon in name only. It was manufactured by Cosina...which also built 35 mm bodies for Yashica, Olympus, Vivitar and others. If you like the all-mechanical, all- manual film cameras, you may want to consider a used FM2.
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Mark Feldstein |
Or, try a nice clean used Nikon F-2A. I've got 4 of them with an arsenal of lenses and MD3 motor drives. Built like a hockey puck and rumor has it you can use the F-2 to pound in fence posts. Fully manual and still quite serviceable though parts are getting more scarce. M.
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Christopher A. Walrath |
Or, if you're not stuck on Nikon, I would be totally confident in recommending an older Minolta X- or sr- series camera. Produced for over 20 years, they ALL took the same lenses, Minolta MD/MC three lug bayonet lenses. And the cameras and lenses and accessories are a dime a dozen on eBay. I gave away four systems to friends getting them their starts over the years. (Sorry, none to offer at this time). Now I pretty much only shoot medium format with my Mamiya M645j but I still have my sr-T101 and a 28 and 50mm lens and a few filters and such when I wanna travel extra light. Keep on rollin'
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